US10556780B2 - Automotive service lift system with vehicle position detection and guidance - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
  • B66F7/00—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts
  • B66F7/28—Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
  • G01B11/26—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
  • G01B11/275—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
  • G01B11/26—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
  • G01B11/275—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment
  • G01B11/2755—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes for testing wheel alignment using photoelectric detection means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
  • B66F2700/00—Lifting apparatus
  • B66F2700/12—Lifting platforms for vehicles or motorcycles or similar lifting apparatus
  • B66F2700/123—Details concerning the support members or devices not related to the lifting itself
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
  • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
  • G01B2210/10—Wheel alignment
  • G01B2210/14—One or more cameras or other optical devices capable of acquiring a two-dimensional image

Definitions

• the present application is related to automotive service lifts onto which a vehicle is driven in order to be elevated during a vehicle service procedure, such as a wheel alignment service, and in particular, to a vehicle position detection and guidance system configured to guide a vehicle moving onto the supporting runway surfaces of the automotive service lift, as well as to detect potential obstructions present in the path of either the vehicle or vertical movement of the lift itself.
• a typical automotive service lift consists of two parallel runways, onto which the wheels of the vehicle are driven.
• An approach end of the automotive service lift may include a set of inclined ramps over which the vehicle drives as it moves onto the runways, while the opposite end of the automotive service lift may include a set of stops or end plates to prevent the vehicle from being accidentally driven or rolled off the end of the runways. If the lift is installed in a floor recess, such that the runway surfaces are level with the surrounding floor in a lowered configuration, no approach ramps are required.
• movable surfaces such as turn plates and slip plates may be located on the runways between the approach end and the stops, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,971 to Liebetreu et al., which is herein incorporated by reference.
• Driving a vehicle onto an automotive service lift requires that the vehicle be initially positioned with the wheels in-line with the lift runway surfaces, and that the approach path be maintained in a straight direction parallel to the service lift centerline as the vehicle moves onto the runways. Excessive steering of the vehicle, or initial misaligned of the wheels and runways can potentially result in the vehicle being driven off an edge of the runways. As the vehicle moves onto the lift runways, the driver's view of the runway surfaces is commonly obscured by the front of the vehicle, rendering it difficult to apply steering corrections or determine where to stop the vehicle. Failure to stop the vehicle at an appropriate location on the runways surfaces can either leave rear wheels of the vehicle off of the service lift, or can cause the front wheels to abut against the stops or end plates.
• the vehicle For some vehicle service procedures, it is required that the vehicle be stopped at specific locations on the runways, and subsequently rolled either forward, backwards, or in both directions over a short distance. During the subsequent rolling, vehicle measurements are acquired, the suspension relaxed, and/or the vehicle positioned on a set of the movable surfaces.
• Proper driving and positioning of the vehicle onto the lift runways either requires a second technician to provide guidance to the vehicle driver, or the use of a mirror or other visual guide located within the driver's field of view. Over time, a skilled technician is likely to develop an intuitive sense of where the vehicle front wheels are located, and approximately where to stop the vehicle, but due to differences in vehicle wheelbase dimensions, it remains difficult to determine where the rear wheels are relative to the runway surfaces or how close the wheels may be to an edge of the runway surfaces.
• an automotive service lift with a vehicle position detection and guidance system capable of accurately monitoring the position of a vehicle approaching, departing, and/or disposed on the lift runways, so as to provide a service technician with any necessary steering and stopping guidance while positioning a vehicle on or off the service lift during a service or inspection procedure.
• the vehicle position detection and guidance system would be further beneficial for the vehicle position detection and guidance system to observe not only the position of the vehicle wheels relative to the lift runway surfaces, but also to detect the presence of any obstructions to vehicle movement located on the lift runway surfaces, such as wheel stops, tools, jacks, or other items inadvertently left behind during a previous vehicle service or inspection procedure. Similarly, it would be beneficial for the vehicle position detection and guidance system to observe the spatial volume beneath both the vehicle and the automotive service lift (when elevated), to ensure that no obstacles are present which would interfere with either vehicle movement or changes in the lift elevation.
• the present application sets forth a vehicle position detection and guidance system for use with an automotive service lift structure having a pair of parallel runways onto which a vehicle undergoing a service or inspection is driven and parked in order to be elevated to a service height.
• the vehicle position detection and guidance system consists of a LiDAR sensor disposed in proximity to the front end of the automotive service lift structure.
• the LiDAR sensor is configured with a generally horizontal field of view oriented towards the vehicle approach end of the service lift, encompassing a volume of space extending upward from the upper surface of each lift runway, as well as the intervening region between the runways.
• the LiDAR sensor is disposed such that the field of view enables the sensor to observe at least the leading tread surfaces of two or more wheels on a vehicle approaching the service lift, and preferably the leading tread surface of each wheel on the vehicle.
• Output signals from the LiDAR sensor are conveyed to a processing system, which monitors the wheel positions relative to the runway surfaces, and provides output to a service technician driving the vehicle indicating any required steering corrections and a vehicle stopping point as the vehicle is driven onto the runways.
• the LiDAR sensor of the vehicle position detection and guidance system is configured to additionally observe the leading edge of the vehicle and the vehicle undercarriage surfaces as the vehicle approaches and is driven onto the automotive service lift runways.
• the processing system can detect if the vehicle will encounter any obstructions either on the lift runways or in the volume of space between the runway surfaces and provide a suitable warning to the driver.
• obstructions may include, but are not limited to, tools left on the runway surfaces, wheel chocks left on the runway surfaces, and jack components supported between the runway surfaces which are not properly stowed in a storage position.
• a warning signal can be provided to the driver prior to any potentially damaging impact.
• the LiDAR sensor of the vehicle position detection and guidance system is configured to observe the volume of space located beneath the vehicle and between the lift runways before and during any operation which alters the height of the automotive service lift structure. If obstructions, such as improperly stowed lift jacks, or even the presence of a service technician under the vehicle, are detected within the observed volume by the processing system, any lift movement can be prevented or immediately terminated, and a suitable warning provided.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction between the sensor system components, the vehicle lift rack, and an optional vehicle service system;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elevated vehicle lift rack, with a sensor system of the present disclosure in an outboard position, illustrating a portion of the general field of view;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an elevated vehicle lift rack, with a sensor system of the present disclosure in an inboard position, illustrating a portion of the general field of view;
• FIG. 4 is front perspective view of an elevated vehicle lift rack supporting a vehicle, illustrating how the general field of view for a sensor system shown in FIG. 3 intersects the vehicle wheels and the technician;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a set of lowered, but not stowed, jacks disposed between the runways of a vehicle lift rack, and the relationship with a portion of the sensor system field of view;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a jack in an elevated position partially supporting a vehicle above a lift rack, illustrating how a general field of view for a sensor system shown in FIG. 5 intersect the vehicle wheels and elevated jack components.
• an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as a vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 for use with an automotive service lift structure 10 having a control console 11 , and a pair of parallel runways 12 L and 12 R onto which a vehicle V undergoing a service or inspection is driven and parked in order to be elevated to a service height.
• the vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 consists of at least one LiDAR sensor 102 disposed in proximity to a front end of the automotive service lift structure 10 , in either an outboard position as shown in FIG. 2 , or an inboard position as shown in FIG. 3 .
• An exemplary LiDAR sensor 102 is the M8 solid state LiDAR sensor manufactured by Quanergy Systems of Sunnyvale, Calif.
• the LiDAR sensor 102 is provided with a generally horizontal field of view, a portion of which is shown at 104 , oriented from the front end of the service lift 10 , towards the vehicle approach end of the service lift 10 , encompassing a region of space extending above a portion of an upper surface of each lift runway 12 L, 12 R, as well as encompassing a portion of the intervening region between each of the runways.
• the field of view may be generally planar, oriented in a horizontal configuration, or encompass a three-dimensional volume of space, depending upon the design particulars of the LiDAR sensor 102 .
• the LiDAR sensor 102 is preferably disposed on the lift structure 10 such that the field of view 104 enables the LiDAR sensor 102 to observe at least a segment across leading tread surfaces of two or more wheels 14 on the vehicle V approaching or present on the service lift 10 , and preferably a segment across the leading tread surfaces of each wheel 14 on the vehicle V, such as seen generally in FIG. 4 .
• An exemplary location for the LiDAR sensor 102 is in proximity to a wheel stop plate 16 disposed at a front end of one of the lift runways 12 L, 12 R, however, it will be recognized that placement locations other than those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be suitable for observing the vehicle wheels 14 and the surfaces of the runways 12 L, 12 R.
• placement locations other than those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be suitable for observing the vehicle wheels 14 and the surfaces of the runways 12 L, 12 R.
• locating the LiDAR sensor 102 on the cross-beam may provide a suitable field of view.
• the LiDAR sensor 102 is positioned to move together with service lift 10 , such that the field of view 104 remains fixed relative to the lift runways 12 L, 12 R at all times.
• the LiDAR sensor 102 may be positioned apart from, but in proximity to, the lift structure 10 , so long as a suitable field of view encompassing the aforementioned surfaces is maintained.
• the LiDAR sensor 102 illuminates the surfaces within the observable field of view 104 , and generates a two- or three-dimensional map of those surfaces. Processing of the LiDAR sensor data to generate the two- or three-dimensional map may be carried out by appropriate logic circuits or processor configured with software instructions contained within the LiDAR sensor 102 , or in a similarly configured remote processor or processing system 106 to which LiDAR sensor data is conveyed.
• the processing system 106 which may be contained within the lift rack console 11 as shown in FIG.
• the LiDAR 1 is configured with software instructions to evaluate the output signals in order to identify and monitor the positions of each observed vehicle wheel 14 relative to the runway surfaces 12 L and/or 12 R and/or relative to the position of the LiDAR sensors 102 (which are at known positions relative to the runway surfaces).
• the processing system 106 is configured with software instructions to utilize the monitored positions in order to generate an output to a service technician driving the vehicle V, indicating any necessary steering corrections and/or a vehicle stopping point, as the vehicle V is driven onto the runway surfaces 12 L and 12 R towards a preferred or predetermined location required for a vehicle service or inspection procedure.
• the output may be representative of visual and/or audible guidance.
• visual output provided on a monitor 108 observable by the service technician may include left and right arrows to indicate necessary steering corrections, as well as a STOP indicator.
• Audible guidance may include a warning signal when the vehicle has reached either a stopping position or is varying too far from an expected straight-line path on the runway surfaces 12 L and 12 R.
• the vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 is continually active at all times during a vehicle service or inspection procedure, and acts as a safety feature during any vehicle movement occurring on or approaching the runway surfaces 12 L and 12 R.
• a vehicle service system 200 such as a vehicle wheel alignment measurement or inspection system
• the vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 may be activated automatically by the vehicle service system at predetermined points during a vehicle service or inspection procedure, such as when a vehicle is being initially positioned on the service lift 10 , when a rolling compensation procedure is required during an alignment measurement, or when the vehicle is being removed from the service lift 10 .
• the LiDAR sensor 102 of the vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 is configured with a field of view sufficient to additionally observe leading edges of the vehicle V and the vehicle undercarriage surfaces as the vehicle V approaches and is driven onto the automotive service lift runways 12 L, 12 R.
• the processing system 106 is configured to determine if the vehicle V will encounter any obstructions either on the visible surfaces of the lift runways 12 L, 12 R, or in the volume of space between the runways, and provide a suitable visual or audible warning to the service technician.
• Potential obstructions may include, but are not limited to, tools left on the runway surfaces 12 L, 12 R, wheel chocks left on the runway surfaces 12 L, 12 R, service technicians standing in front of the vehicle, and jack components 17 (front, rear) supported between the runway surfaces 12 L, 12 R which are not properly stowed in a storage position over which the vehicle V can travel.
• the approaching vehicle V has low ground clearance body components, such as a front air splitter, side skirts, or a front air dam visible to the LiDAR sensor 102 which will not clear an approach ramp or edge located at the approach end of the lift runways 12 L, 12 R, a suitable visual or audible warning is provided to the service technician by the processing system 106 prior to any potentially damaging impact.
• the LiDAR sensor 102 of the vehicle position detection and guidance system 100 is configured to monitor the volume of space located beneath the vehicle V and between the lift runways 12 L, 12 R before and during any operation which alters the height of the automotive service lift structure 10 . If the processing system 106 detects the presence of any obstructions, such as improperly stowed lift jacks 17 (front, rear) as shown in FIG. 5 , elevated lift jacks (front, rear) as shown in FIG. 6 , or the presence of a service technician under the vehicle V, within the observed volume, movement of the lift structure 10 is automatically prevented or immediately terminated, and a suitable audible or visual warning provided to the service technician.
• any obstructions such as improperly stowed lift jacks 17 (front, rear) as shown in FIG. 5 , elevated lift jacks (front, rear) as shown in FIG. 6 , or the presence of a service technician under the vehicle V, within the observed volume, movement of the lift structure 10 is automatically prevented or immediately terminated, and a suitable audible
• the present disclosure can be embodied in-part in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes.
• the present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, or another computer readable non-transitory storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, and executed by, an electronic device such as a computer, micro-processor or logic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure.
• the present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a non-transitory storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure.
• the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

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Citations (15)

• 2017
  • 2017-11-08 US US15/807,273 patent/US10556780B2/en active Active

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